Another person's partner went into care which the pension was paying for while he got into debt with rates and basic household expenses.
To save money Bruin said people often cut back on power ''and go to bed early and don't turn heaters on in winter, while their homes may not have effective insulation which effects all seasons''.
The lack of funds also made people feel isolated and lonely and was more challenging for people on their own.
Salvation Army Tauranga Major Heather Kopu agreed adding prescription costs had a big impact - and emergency housing prioritised families.
''Many of the elderly we see struggle with GP and prescription costs. Some are often working as they either don't qualify for the pension or may have health issues.''
''Others are having to work to subsidise their pensions as they are unable to meet basic living expenses.''
In December a report by the Financial Services Council said nearly all older New Zealanders would be living on the pension alone after just 10 years.
It had calculated there was on average a $218 after-tax weekly gap between what the retired need to live comfortably and what they would actually have.
Tauranga pensioner Earleen Dodunski said she lived payday to payday and a trip to the doctor cost $38.
The 68-year-old was in a council flat and grateful her rent only cost $286 a fortnight but she worried about the future - if council plans to sell the flats went ahead.
''If the rent goes up again I'll have to go and live with family so it's a bit stressful.''
The highlight of her week was going to bingo at the Senior Citizens Hall where she got to have a nice afternoon tea.
She did not go on holidays and said ''I'd like to go on a cruise, it's on my bucket list but I don't think that will happen''.
Her neighbour 73-year-old Terry Smith said his medical expenses which included new teeth cost $3000 last year and he stuck to a strict budget.
''It's breadline . . . and one of the things I've also noticed is the price of food has really increased.''
Ministry of Social Development Client Service Delivery Group general manager Kay Read said it was there to support people as they aged, to be happy, healthy and to feel valued.
"When you're on a fixed income newunforeseen expenses can make life incredibly hard," she said.
''We strongly encourage anyone on NZ Super who is struggling to deal with emergency costs or unexpected big bills to get in touch with us so we can work out how we may be able to help them.
''Just like anyone, people on NZ Super may have unexpected housing or health costs. They might be finding it tough to care for children or a partner at home. We are here to help.''
Figures show to September 2017 in Tauranga there were 25,602people on NZ Super compared to 24,878 over the same timeframe in 2016.
